12 hours ago
2
Courtesy of Getty Images
Do you struggle with getting a good night's sleep? Believe it or not, the solution might just be in the activities you do right before lying down. A good sleep routine is essential to perfecting your sleep hygiene—it all goes hand in hand.
Yet, finding the right routine is difficult! Sleep is an ever increasing category in the wellness section, with more and more products coming out every month that promise a better, more restful sleep. It can be incredibly overwhelming.
That's why we went to a specialist who knows all about sleep routines. We tapped Dr. Anna Persaud, sleep expert with a PhD in Biochemistry and the CEO of This Works, to tell us all about what we need to create that perfect wind-down routine right before bed.
What Is a “Good” Sleep Routine?
"Consistency is the foundation of good sleep," Dr. Persaud told E!. "Going to bed and waking at roughly the same time each day helps stabilise the circadian clock and improves sleep quality." But it's not just the exact time that's important. She recommends having a consistent nighttime routine, or doing the same relaxing activities and using the same products every night.
"Evening rituals should help shift the nervous system away from stimulation. Reading, gentle stretching, or breathwork can support this transition," she said. "Sensory cues such as Functional Fragrance can also help—scent travels directly to emotional centres of the brain, reinforcing relaxation." An offshoot of aromatherapy, these fragrances are especially formulated with wellness in mind, with specific notes and oils that trigger emotions in us.
Best Products for a Good Sleep Routine
Regardless of the products you choose, a good routine is whatever is best for your mind and body to be able to properly wind down.
Dr. Persaud recommends a low evening light, stepping away from the phone, and introducing calming activities like a warm shower, reading, journaling, or gentle stretching. "The brain responds strongly to repeated sensory cues, so using the same signals each evening can help train the body to recognise it’s time to switch off," she told E!.
"Disruptors include bright lights, late-night phone use, work emails, or intense exercise close to bedtime," she said. "The goal is a predictable rhythm that allows the body to prepare naturally for rest."
ThisWorks Deep Sleep Bath Oil
If you're a fan of indulging in a luxe bath before sleep, Dr. Persaud recommended this bath oil from ThisWorks with its therapeutic blend of lavender, camomile, and vetiver.
Dr Teal's Soothe & Sleep with Lavender Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution
Want to add a little extra to that bath? People swear by this iconic lavender Epsom Salt soaking solution, which promises to help relax tense and sore muscles while the scent relaxes your senses.
"Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid (Paperback)
Whether you're rereading your comfort book for the hundredth time or you're finally cracking into that series if you've been wanting to start, Dr. Persaud recommended adding some light reading into your sleep routine.
Lush Sleepy Body Lotion
A body lotion with a relaxing scent is a must-have for a good wind-down routine. Lush's Sleepy lotion is legendary—with its signature lilac color, lavender and tonka scent, and formula of glycerin, cocoa butter, and almond oil.
Being Frenshe Lavender Cloud Hydrating Overnight Restore Hair Treatment
Your hair needs a little TLC, too. This overnight hair treatment is infused with magnesium and hyaluronic acid to help soften and nourish locks. Plus, it has a relaxing scent with notes of lavender, sage, coconut milk, and purple iris.
ThisWorks Deep Sleep Body Whip
"Taking a few minutes to mindfully apply the Deep Sleep Body Whip from This Works can extend that transition from the pace of the day into a calmer state," Dr. Persaud told E!. It's formulated with shea butter and magnesium to hydrate and soothe your skin while you sleep.
Bath & Body Works Linen & Lavender Concentrated Room Spray
If all you want is to surround your space with a relaxing scent that's perfect for sleep, then this room spray from Bath & Body Works is the perfect little addition to your routine with its notes of linen, lavender sea salt, and air breeze.
Brooklinen Room Spray
Want something a little more elevated? Known for its soft bed sheets, Brooklinen also offers a room spray with three different scent options. The scent "Bright Idea" is perfect if you're not a lavender fan, but still want that relaxing scent with notes of cardamom, geranium, and vetiver.
ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Dr. Persaud recommended a pillow spray—and this one by ThisWork isn't just her brand's bestseller, it's also extremely top-rated with over 24K reviews. "It blends Lavender, Chamomile, and Vetivert—botanicals rich in calming terpenes - which interact with the olfactory system and signal directly to areas of the brain involved in emotion and relaxation," she said.
Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100
"I’m a fan of light-based alarms, particularly those from Lumie. They mimic the gradual rise of natural daylight, waking the body much more gently than a sudden alarm," Dr. Persaud told E!. "Sunrise alarms can be very helpful—especially in winter—but combining them with natural light and a consistent evening wind-down routine is what really strengthens the sleep cycle."
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
English (US) ·